Snoring and Sleep Apnoea – Solutions in Dentistry

Snoring can disrupt and disturb you and your partner’s sleep, something that is vital to overall health and wellbeing.

Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Snoring may indicate a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and left untreated may cause excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Other diseases can also be caused or exacerbated by OSA and can be ‘life shortening.”

All patients who are suspected OSA sufferers will be referred to a Respiratory / Sleep Physician for an appropriate evaluation and treatment recommendations. It is most important that a thorough OSA assessment is carried out before the provision of any dental device for the treatment of snoring. Ignoring the possibility of a patient having OSA and just treating them for snoring can have significant detrimental consequences.

New treatments for Snoring and OSA are emerging all the time. There is now anecdotal evidence emerging in medical literature indicating that the application of the same medicines used in Anti-Skin Wrinkle treatment to the Masseter (cheek) and Temporalis (temple) muscles, can have a positive effect and help reduce OSA episodes and snoring. Dr. Hillel New, principle dentist at CDIC, has recently returned from Chicago in the USA, where he was trained by the AAFE (American Academy of Facial Esthetics) in the delivery of ‘Anti-Wrinkle’ medicines to these muscles to aid in reducing tooth grinding and perhaps a decrease in the severity of OSA.

Sometimes a mandibular advancement splint is recommended as treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. This device is a custom made appliance worn during sleep that helps bring the lower jaw forward. Bringing the lower jaw forward helps to open the airway and throat to aid in the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate OSA. Treatment involves an initial appointment to discuss the treatment and take impressions of the upper and lower jaws, followed by a second appointment to fit and adjust the appliance. Adherence to strict instructions is imperative to avoid bite/occlusal changes that may occur wearing these devices. Periodic review appointment and adjustment may be necessary.

Meet Dr New

Learn more about Dr Hillel New and his high tech advances in dentistry that offer you a quick, easy and pain-free solution. Dr Hillel delivers a practical approach, consulting with you on all the details of your treatment, from start to finish. Click Here For More Info About Dr Hillel New

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